"Scientists often estimate population size by looking at genetic diversity. In general, more variation in the genome suggests a larger group. But when Akey’s team applied their tool, IBDmix, they found that much of the apparent diversity in #Neanderthal DNA actually came from genes inherited from modern humans, who had far larger populations. With this new insight, scientists lowered their estimate of the Neanderthal breeding population from about 3,400 individuals to roughly 2,400.Taken together, these findings help explain how Neanderthals disappeared from the fossil and genetic record around 30,000 years ago.

"I don't like to say 'extinction,' because I think Neanderthals were largely absorbed," said Akey. His idea is that Neanderthal populations slowly shrank until the last survivors were folded into modern human communities.…"
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250713032519.htm

This is fun. Google Gemini’s “Summarize email” function is vulnerable to invisible prompt injection utilized to deceive users, including with fake security alerts.

#infosec #cybersecurity #blueteam

https://0din.ai/blog/phishing-for-gemini

ever since i got covid in september, i've been getting knock-me-on-my-ass sick every. fucking. month. covid/flu/rsv tests have been negative each time i test, so i'm getting beaten up by common cold type shit that rarely got me before.

i never stopped masking (quality n95+), i haven't flown in nearly 2 years and avoid indoor crowds as much as i reasonably can, always prefer restaurants with outdoor seating, etc etc etc.

i don't have any long covid symptoms that i'm aware of, but the immune system reset thing is no joke. seems like mine got fucking obliterated. if anybody has tips for getting through this, i'm all ears.

#COVID #CovidIsNotOver #MaskUp #LongCovid

"Some species of fig trees store calcium carbonate in their trunks – essentially turning themselves (partially) into stone, new research has found. The team of Kenyan, U.S., Austrian, and Swiss scientists found that the trees could draw carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and store it as calcium carbonate ‘rocks’ in the surrounding soil.

"The research is being presented this week at the Goldschmidt conference in Prague.

"The trees – native to Kenya – are one of the first fruit trees shown to have this ability, known as the oxalate carbonate pathway…"
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706225819.htm